New Jersey Rifle Possession Lawyers

Weapons Charges Defense Attorneys in Hudson County, New Jersey

Possessing a rifle is legal in New Jersey, provided that you abide by the specific laws and requirements associated with these weapons. For example, in order to purchase and possess a rifle, you must apply for and obtain a valid New Jersey Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. If you are found in possession of a rifle without a valid permit, you may be sentenced to between 3 and 5 years of incarceration. You may also face criminal weapons charges if you are found in possession of a loaded rifle, or if you do not abide by NJ laws regarding the transportation of a rifle. At The Tormey Law Firm, our highly experienced New Jersey weapons attorneys step in to defend your rights and your innocence when you are charged with a weapons offense.

Our team of skilled lawyers has successfully defended thousands of clients charged with criminal weapons offenses ranging from possession of prohibited weapons and devices to possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Our firm’s founder Travis J. Tormey, who has been named among the top 10 Criminal Attorneys under 40 in New Jersey by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, leads a formidable team of former gun prosecutors, former members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and a former member of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Weapons Forfeiture Unit. We leverage our extensive knowledge and experience to achieve superior outcomes for clients in courts across New Jersey, including in Hudson, Mercer, Bergen, Essex, and Middlesex counties. Contact our offices today to receive your cost-free consultation and find the answers you need to protect your rights.

Rifles in New Jersey

In New Jersey, it is illegal to possess a rifle, unless you have a valid New Jersey Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. According toN.J.S.A. 2C:39-1, the term “rifle” can refer to “any firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder and using the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire a single projectile through a rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger.”

Unlawful Possession of a Rifle

If you are found to illegally possess a rifle, you may be charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, which is outlined in section N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5. There are two potential scenarios in which you may be charged with unlawful possession of a rifle. The first applies when you are found in possession of a rifle without having obtained a firearms purchaser identification card. The other scenario applies when you are found in possession of a loaded rifle, unless you are otherwise permitted to do so. In either situation, unlawful possession of a rifle is a third degree crime, punishable by a sentence to serve between 3 and 5 years in New Jersey State Prison and a maximum fine of $15,000.

Rifle Licenses in New Jersey

In order to purchase and possess a rifle in New Jersey, you must first obtain a New Jersey Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. The application process involves you completing the necessary application form and submitting it to the Chief of Police at your local police department or the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. When reviewing your application, authorities will also conduct a comprehensive background check with the New Jersey State Police and FBI, a mental health records search, and an investigation by the local police. They will also require you to provide two references and to submit to fingerprinting. Under New Jersey law, the State is required to approve or deny your application within 30 days if you are a resident of New Jersey. If you are not a New Jersey resident, your application status should be determined within 45 days.

Notably, New Jersey does not restrict the number of rifles that you can purchase, provided that you possess a valid firearms purchaser identification card (N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3i).

If you have questions regarding the purchase or possession of a rifle in New Jersey or you are facing criminal charges related to a rifle, contact our New Jersey weapons attorneys at (201)-614-2474 to find the answers to your questions and receive a free consultation.

Request a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one is in need of assistance with a gun related issue in New Jersey, you've come to the right place. Contact our experienced firearms defense trial team anytime for immediate assistance at (201) 614-2474. The initial consultation is always provided free of charge.

Areas We Serve

The firearms lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm represent clients charged with weapons offenses in Bergen County (Hackensack), Essex County (Newark), Morris County (Morristown), Passaic County (Paterson), Hudson County (Jersey City), Middlesex County (New Brunswick), Somerset County (Somerville), Camden County (Camden), Warren County (Belvidere), Hunterdon County (Flemington), Monmouth County (Freehold), Ocean County (Toms River), Burlington County (Mount Holly), Sussex County (Newton), Mercer County (Trenton) and throughout New Jersey.